Production of Dwarf Bilberry for Outplanting Ottawa National Forest
2007 Accomplishments
This project was begun in 2005, with location and
collection of dwarf bilberry fruits. In February 2006, the
seeds were planted and seedlings were raised at the J.W.
Toumey Forest Service Nursery in Watersmeet, Michigan.
The objective is to develop seedlings for outplanting on
suitable sites to help in recovery of this Regional Forester’s
Sensitive/State threatened species and its dependent
Sensitive/State threatened butterfly, the northern blue.
Toumey Nursery forced some of the bilberry seedlings, to
help them grow more quickly. These were ready for
outplanting in June 2007. One hundred and eighty bilberry
plugs were planted in sandy soils at two different sites, on
the Watersmeet and Kenton Ranger Districts.
Unfortunately, planting was followed by an extremely dry
summer and many of these plugs died. Six larger plants,
raised in pots, were planted at the Forest Visitor Center and
Kenton Ranger District native plant gardens. However,
survival of these plants was also limited due to drought.
The remaining seedlings, which were not forced, were
planted in September 2007. Seventy-five were planted at
the first Watersmeet site. Seventy-two were planted at a
second site on the Watersmeet District. The remaining 82
plugs were planted in clay soils on the Bergland District.
Toumey Nursery sowed additional seed in 2007 and is
raising about 750 seedlings for use on the Ottawa and
possibly the Hiawatha and Chequamegon-Nicolet National
Forests in 2008. More seed may be planted in the coming
winter to provide dwarf bilberry shrubs for planting in
2009.
Planted bilberry plugs in June 2007
Year awarded: 2005
Project completion: first phase
completed 2007; additional planting
expected (beyond that outlined in 2005
proposal)
Report number: 3 of 3
Expenditures 2007:
NFN3: $0
$ 500 in-kind, Toumey Nursery
$1,500 in-kind, Ottawa Botany Program
Partners/Contractors/Cooperators:
J.W. Toumey Nursery
Contact: Sue Trull, Forest Botanist
906-932-1330 ext. 312, strull@fs.fed.us
Ottawa National Forest
E6248 US Hwy. 2
Ironwood, MI 49938
Plugs ready to plant